The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-07-14
WILL STAY AWAY.
President Cleveland Reconsiders
His Intention to Visit St Louis.
A Lengthy Letter Explaining Ills Reasons
for His Acti"n-A wish TO Avoid I'M
pieasABtness with the q. A. Rho
Fear Of Violence.
BOZ woN,r oo.


ST. LOUIS July A--The following letter,
addressed TO tho mayor Of this city, who
was the chairman OF the committee Of
representative citizens OF st. Louis who
verbally invited the President 10 visit
this city during the holding of the encamp-
ment OF the Grand Army OF the Republic
next September, explains itself without
| further cOmmenti
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. c.,
July \, iSS1.--Tb, Hon. Ddrid X. FfdAds, Mayor
and Chdirmdn-MY DEAR SIN; When | re.
ceiyed the extremely cordial aud gratifying in
| vitaiion from the citizens Of ST Louis, ten
dered by number Of her representative mon,
70 visit that city during the National eneamp-
| meat Of tho Grand Army OF the Republic, | hau
been contemplating for some time the accept
ance Of an invitation from that organization 70
the same effect, and had considered the
pleasure which Il would afford me. II II should
DO possible, 70 meet not only members OF
the Grand Army, but the people OF ST.
| Louis and other cities In the West which tho
occasion would give me an opportunity 10
visit. The oxactlona Of my public duties felt
10 be 40 uncertain, however, that when nrst
| confronted by the delegation Of which you
| were the head expected TO do no more at that
time than TO promise the consideration OF the
double invitation rendered me. and express the
pleasure II would give me 10 accept the same
| thereafter Il possible. But the cordality and
sincerity Of your presentation. rc-enforced by
tho heariiness OF the people who surrounded
you, 30 Impressed me that could not resist tho
feeling which prompted me 10 assure you on
the spot that would BIO with you and the
Grand Army OF the Republic nj the time desg.
mated. n nothing happened In the meantime %
absolutely prevent my leaving Washington.
Immediately upon the public announcement
OF his conclusion expressions emanating from
certain important me mhers OF the Grand Army
Il N ~ Htnttnlie AM - ms in Valune and
viriieuce, constrained me 10 review my accept
Ance OF these invitations, The expressions re
forrcd 10 20 10 tho extent of declaring that
would DO an unwelcome guest at tho
time and place Of tho National Encamp-
ment. This statement Is based IA well
as eau judge upon certain onicial
acts OF mine, Involving important public
interests. done under the restraints and ob-
cations OF my onth Of ONCE, which do not ap-
pear 10 accord with the wishes OF some mem
bers OF the Grand Army Of tho Republic. Ire-
fuse 10 believe that this organization, founded
upon patriotic ideas, composed very largely OF
mcn entitled 70 lasting honor and consdera-
lion, aud whose browning glory II
should be that they are American citizens
~ well as veteran soldiers, deems II
part OF ~ missioa 90 compass any object
or purpose by attempting 10 ntlmidato
the executive or ooerce those charged with
making and executing the Jaws and yet the ex-
prrssions towhich Ihayc referred indicate such
prevalence OF uniriendly feeling and such n
menace 10 an occasion which should be har-
monlous peaceful ind cordial that they can not
be ignored, ] beg you 10 understand that am
not conscious OF any act Of mine which should
mako me fear 70 meet the Grand Army OF the
Republic OF eny other asscmblagc Of my fellow
citizens. The Accounto OF my ofiicial steward
ship Is always ready fer presentation TO my
eonntrymon. ! should mol be frank Il failed to
confess, while dsclaimihg all resentment, that
have been hurt by unworthy and wRnton attacks
upon me growing OUT Of this matter and tho reck-
less manner IN which my actions and motives
have been misrcpresentcd, both publicly and pr.
yaiciy. for which. however the Grand Army OF
the Republic, as n body, ~ by no means rcspon-
Eihic,
Tho threats OF personal violence and harm
IN case undertook the trip In question, which
scores OF misguided, unbalanced men under the
stimulation OF excited feeling have made, are
not even considered. Rather than abandon my
visit TO the West and dsappoint your citizens
I might II alone were concerned, submit 10
tho insult 10 which Il is quite openly asserted l
would be helplcssy subjected II present at the
encampmcnt; but should bear with me there
the peoples highest ONCE, thc dignity Of which
| ! must protect; and helieye that neither the
Grand Army Of the Republic as an organization,
nor any thing like majority OF its members,
would ever encourage any scandnlous attack
upon II. II, however, among the membership
OF this body there nre some, MS certainly seems
20 he the case. determined 10 denounco me and
my officni nets atthe National eicampmcnt Ibe
licve they should be permitted 10 do so unre-
strained by my presence as n guest OF their or
ganilh,ion, or rs "A guest OF the hospitable city
In which their meeting is held. A number OF
the Grand Army posts have sgniiled their In
tcntion, I am Informed, 10 remain away from
the cncampmont IN case visit the city NJ that
time Without considering tho merit OF such
nm excuse. feel that ought not 70 be the
cause OF such non-attendance. The time and
place OF the encampment Were hxed long before
my Invitations were received. Those desiring
10 participate In IFS proceedings should be first
regarded and nothing should be permitted TO
Interfere with their attentions.
| Another cons Iteration OF more Importance
than all others remains TO be noticed. The fact
was referred 10 by YOU when you verbally pre-
scented the invitation OF the citizens OF St. Louis
that the coming eucampment OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic would be the first held in
Southern State. suppose this fact was mon
toned MS pleasing Indication OF the fraternal
feeling fast gaining ground throughout the en-.
tire land and hailed by every patriotic citizen us
an earnest that the Union has really and IN fact
been saved IN sentiment and spirit with all the
benefits II vouchsafcs TO q united people. can
not rid myself Of the belief that the least dis
cord on this propitious occasion might retard
the progress of the sentiment OF common
public has so good IN opportunity TO increase
| and foster. l certainly ought not TO be the
cause OF such discord in any event or upon any
prctcxt
II seems to me that you and the citizens OF
ST. Louis arc entitled to this unreserved
statement OF tho conditions which have con-
strained me to forcgo my contemplated visit
and TO withdraw my acceptance OF your
Invitation My presence in your city AZ
the time you have Indicated can be OF but
little moment compared with the i'm
portanco OF the cordial and harmonious enter
tainmcnt Of your other guests. / assure you
that abandon my plan without the least per
sonai feeling except regret constrained thereto
by n sense OF duty, aotuated by desire 10 save
any embarrassment TO the people OF st. Louis or
their expected guests, anc with heart full OF
grateful appreciation OF the sincere and unaf-
foctcd kindness OF your citizens. Hoping the
cncampment may be IN occusion OF much use
fulness and that It's proceedings may illustrate
the highest patriotism OF American citizenship,
am yours very sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
ST. LOUIS, July s-The following letter
twas received yesterday by the original
committee appointe by the GRIND Army
''ExEcurIvE MANSION. WASHINGTON D.
G., July tn Dduid r. Francis, Mayor OF ne
Gin Of 81 Louis; Frank GnieRnie. President
Il of ne Merchants Erchangs, and John
IT, Noble, Commander Frank p Blair
POST No. I, @. A, r., commifee-GEN
r1EMnN: While i have hitherto made
no formal response 10 your invitation given In
February last to myself and Mrs. Cleveland TO
attend the National Encampment OF the Grand
Army OF tho Republ'c, to be held in st. Louis
from the 27th to the s0th OF September next, l
have verbally indicated my purpose TO accept
II II should lind IL possible then to be absent
from Washington. The statement contained
in your letter that the organization was never
| IN so fiourishlng condition us now nor its
\ membership so large; that no effort Is being